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I love making things. I do. What I love even more is when you have not just an idea of what to make, but also someone you can give it to. There’s nothing worse than spending hours slaving over something only to get a halfhearted thanks and have said item disappear forever into the abyss of unwanted gifts. So choosing what to make and who to make it for is a stumbling block in and of itself.

This year I decided to make presents for my Mother and sister (yes, the males in my family were almost completely neglected, but I honestly can’t think of presents I can make (easily) for a grown man. I just can’t).

For Mam I decided to make a cardigan. Well, I decided to make it for myself, then a few rows in I thought it would suit her better, so the rest of it was made with the intention of giving it to her. (Maybe that’s what I need to do, start making things, then decide who to give them to after I have started, hmmm).

When I tried it on, the Turtle said “I like your nice jumper Mama. You is look like Granny.” So perhaps I was right in thinking it was more her style than mine. It’s always nice to have these things confirmed by a three year old though 😉

The good news is that it fits! The sleeves are the right length. Not only that, they are (likely) of equal length too (unless Mam has one arm shorter than the other). So the gauge was ok and my confusion/frustration with the measuring tape was unwarranted. Whoop! I even blocked it. Not a normal occurrence in this house. And no mean feat. The en suite is full of carpet and the guest bathroom is too small. Add in someone who doesn’t really know what they are doing, and well, I’m lucky I didn’t flood the house or something. That’s the good thing about making things for other people, you go the extra mile and finish it according to the instructions, rather than throwing your hands in the air at the final step and saying “Sure, it’ll do!” and living forever with that wonky bit that drives you crazy!

The other good thing is that she loves it. There was a lot more enthusiasm for it than the usual shop bought tat that I usually send. She even modeled it for me (webcam) and there was talk of handwashing it! (Unheard of in our house!) So I know she likes it!

For my sister I made a bag, from some jeans. Apparently this caused some confusion and she attempted to try them on?!? And a cowl/scarf. More confusion. She thought it was a shawl. To be fair, I think I cast on too many stitches, but not THAT many.

Still, it apparently caused a great deal of hilarity. So that’s something.

And so that the men weren’t entirely left out, I sent my sister’s step son this hat

I actually made it for the Turtle, but he already has a hat with earflaps – a $5 nasty acrylic Cookie Monster one – so he apparently doesn’t need any more. And well, it’s not cold enough for woolly hats here. But I defy you to look at this hat for more than five minutes without your hands starting to itch with the desire to make it. Go on. Make it! I need to find more people I can make it for.